Scuba diving brings you fun and adventure. Those who are enthusiastic about the beauty of marine life never forget to go on a scuba dive during vacations. While being an interesting recreational activity, scuba diving requires a special set of diving equipment for safety and comfort as it carries inherent risks.
When it comes to shopping for scuba diving gear, there is a choice for everyone, whether you want reliability and functionality or you want to look like an underwater diva. If you’re unsure of what equipment you’ll need for diving, what gear is more important, or how much it will cost, read on.
What Do You Need to Dive?
Any diver requires a basic set of diving gear to go diving. This includes items such as the BCD, the regulator, the mask, the dive computer, the wetsuit, the fins, etc. All these items come in various shapes and sizes under different brands. Their prices vary depending on their quality.
Apart from these basic items, there is a lot more diving equipment that draws divers’ attention. Some of them are dive knives, weight belts, surface markers, torches, underwater cameras, dive bags, and gloves. If you buy scuba diving equipment for the first time, it is always good to walk into the store with sound knowledge.
Top Diving Equipment in 2022
Curious to know about the best diving equipment in detail? These are the top brands of diving gear that you can find on the market today.
The top 3 Scuba Diving Masks
Of all your diving equipment, a good scuba mask is the most personal and crucial component. It might be challenging to select the best diving mask because there are so many options available in terms of style, quality, and price.
- OMS Tattoo Mask
OMS Tattoo Mask is one of the most popular masks among divers. It is frameless and has low volume. It is available in a range of sizes specifically designed for Asian faces called ‘A’ while the standard sized skirt which is designed for Western facial sizes is called ‘W’. This mask gives you two lens options: Ultra Clear and Ultra Violet Protected. If you are looking for a high-quality diving mask for an affordable price, OMS Tattoo Mask is a good choice.
2. Hollis M1 Frameless
The Hollis M1 features a contemporary frameless design with a skirt made entirely of silicone. Due to the low iron concentration in the glass, this mask offers one of the clearest lenses. Eliminating lens distortion enhances color and visibility. A top contender for the greatest dive mask. It is likewise a single lens and conveniently fits into a BCD pocket.
3. Scubapro Frameless
Due to the silicone wider skirt, the Scuba Frameless is a premium mask created to offer the highest comfort and maximum view. It is well designed and made with quality materials. It unquestionably gives you the best view.
The Top 3 BCDs
For their first few dives and when traveling, the majority of beginning divers prefer to rent their gear. Owning your own BCD, however, is one of the best investments you can make once you start scuba diving, even though making the best choice may be challenging given the different models available with various features.
- Cressi Commander Evolution
Cressi Commander Evolution is a top-quality BCD that comes with a large, gear-mounted air cell and an integrated weight system. It includes a next-gen anatomical inflator and a quick-release shoulder strap of 50mm. It is generally called a jacket-style BCD. Even though it is comparatively larger than other BCDs, it is lightweight and comfortable to carry while diving. If you are looking for a strong, durable, and easy-to-handle BCD, Cressi Commander Evolution is the best option.
- OMS IQ Lite CB
The OMS IQ Lite (CB) system is incredibly lightweight and comfortable, weighing only 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs), making it simple to transport in hand luggage. It has a new vertical weight ballast system with detachable D-rings on the harness. This product comes in a variety of colors and sizes, and the system also includes two cambands with plastic handles. The OMS IQ Lite Cummerbund (CB) system comprises a cummerbund with Velcro in addition to two shoulder straps, shoulder pads, and a cummerbund. This cummerbund serves as a barrier between the diver’s torso and the belt buckle. OMS IQ Lite CB is ideal for divers who do not wear wetsuits or shorties
3. Scubapro Hydros
The ScubaPro Hydros is a high-end, feature-rich BCD. The extended lumbar support on the padded backplate helps shift the weight of the tank onto your hips, easing pressure on your shoulders and enhancing stability. It is extremely abrasive and UV-resistant.
The majority of parts, including buckles, are quite durable and are simple to replace when necessary. With a balanced power inflator (BPI), this rangeoffers a productive technique to keep optimal buoyancy control.
The Top 3 Wetsuits
The wetsuit plays an important role in diving. The right wetsuit should fit you perfectly, allowing just the right amount of water inside while maintaining your body temperature to keep you warm throughout the dive.
If you are new to diving, finding the perfect wetsuit can be difficult at first as there are many brands available. However, choosing what makes you feel the most comfortable is key.
- Scubapro Definition
The Body Map System, a manufacturing process that uses a 3D cut, specialized tailoring, and material inserts to create a suit that fits the body like a glove are the special features that make Scubapro Definition special among the rest. It provides extra stretch where it’s needed, and offers a level of warmth, comfort, and durability. Its internal lining’s infrared fleece reflects body heat to increase warmth even further and feels wonderful on the skin. Coming in both men’s and women’s designs, Scubapro Definition is the ideal wetsuit for any warm-water diver.
- Cressi Fast
Cressi Fast is another top-level wetsuit available in dive shops. This suit is made of 3 mm double-lined neoprene and is elegant, warm, and adaptable. Its anatomy of the pant cut is carried out to increase flexibility for easy finning. The innovative double-lined neoprene sleeves with a “Seal” inner ring to provide a watertight seal make it especially comfortable to wear and modular. Cressi Fast is popular among frequent divers, diving schools,and dive gear rental shops as it offers superb durability.
- Waterproof W30 2.5 Suit
The Waterproof W30 2.5mm is a stylish wetsuit made from a stretchy material with flat locked seams to enhance flexibility. It protects your body from abrasions and comes with polyurethane embossing in the back. It has anti-slip arms and it is well-bonded with nylon thread. It comes in a versatile range of sizes and the designs are available for both male and female divers. It has a cleverly designed docking station called WPAD (Waterproof Personal Accessory Dock) on the right hip to hold expanded pouches.
The Top 3 Regulators
You must find the scuba diving regulator that best suits your requirements if you’re hunting for one. Your choices, the features you need, and the type of diving you perform are the general factors that influence your decision.
If you walk into a dive shop or browse through their catalog, you may find a variety of scuba regulators available. However, if you do not have adequate knowledge of the matter, it is best to seek guidance from the store employees.
1. Atomic T3 Titanium
One of the best diving regulators you can get is the Atomic T3 Titanium. It has the best breathing performance, is made of incredibly strong and lightweight titanium, and has excellent corrosion resistance. It is frequently used for technical dives, deep dives, and cold and warm water dives. It is obviously a bit pricey.
2. Cressi Compact MC9 Regulator
The lightweight body of the Cressi MC9 regulator is protected by a techno-polymer elastomer shell. Four low pressure ports and two high pressure ports are included on the regulator. It has an anti-friction, anti-corrosion coating applied inside to the first stage to lessen resistance and permit free movement of the vital parts. This improves performance and extends the time between annual maintenance visits for the components.
3. SAS Neo-RII Regulator
SAS Neo-RIII regulator is extremely lightweight. It is made with corrosion resistant marine brass and a chrome plated finishing. The 1st stage offers enhanced breathing performance at depth thanks to its over-balanced diaphragm design and the 2nd stage has a special VIR system installed for convenient volume adjustment of the breath. It also has an antibacterial mouthpiece to protect you from germs.
The Top 3 Diving Fins
Along with your diving mask, wetsuit, BCD, and dive computer, fins are an integral part of your personal scuba equipment. To feel more secure during your dives, you must be familiar with five components. When you hire some used fins from a diving shop and they don’t fit well or give you blisters, it’s not pleasant. One of the best investments you can make to enjoy comfortable dives is buying your own fins.
- Mares Avanti Quattro Fins
Thanks to the utilization of novel materials that maximize efficiency, the Mares Avanti Quattro fins outperform the established performance of the conventional model. They are even more attractive-looking and more responsive, with higher thrusting force. These fins include bungee straps as a standard issue. With its Channel Thrust technology, this fin is adaptable and perfect for all diving circumstances. The stabilizers provide stability and stop the phenomenon of ankle twisting. The blade receives extra power from the anatomical foot pocket. The fin has excellent thrust, is responsive, and has a stylish design. It is perfect for all dive circumstances.
- Apeks RK3 Fins
The Apeks RK3 is a tough thermoplastic rubber fin that was developed in partnership with the US military and is famous for its exceptional performance and dependability. It has a large foot pocket for drysuit boots and a spring strap for simple wearing and doffing. Medium, Large, and Super are the three sizes that the RK3 is offered in. Apeks RK3 fins are designed for extreme diving conditions. They are highly durable and come in black, white, and yellow.
- TUSA SF22 Solla Fins
The SF-22 Solla brings together the newest cutting-edge materials and hydrodynamic advancements. The Solla, a brand-new design, has a number of distinctive elements that provide improved propulsion, speed, and maneuverability. TUSA SF22 Solla is based on ForcElast Technology and has a multi-compound foot pocket for extra comfort. The crescent-shaped three-channel blade that provides maximum thrust performance is enhanced with strengthened blade side-rails and vents. This is a great choice for frequent divers.
The Top 3 Dive Computers
You can easily plan your dives using a scuba diving computer by knowing the depth, remaining dive duration, suggested decompression stop, and knowing that the levels of nitrogen have been dissolved into your bloodstream. Dive computers prevent decompression sickness.
- Cressi Donatello
Donatello is popular among divers entering the sport. It is a fully modular, tough computer with a large UFDS display that offers the aforementioned navigational simplicity and Cressi computer menus. It offers reset capability, depth gauge mode, and full Nitrox management. The algorithm uses Deep Stop and RGBM. Similar to the other dive computers made by Cressi, this one has menus and a navigation system that are easy to read, provide access to information, and let you change model parameters. Setting Air, Nitrox, Gauge, and Free modes is simple thanks to a single button interface. Large numerical displays are provided via the screen’s edge-to-edge high definition display. It is compact and travel-friendly.
- Suunto Zoop Novo
Suunto Zoop Novo provides everything you need, whether you’re just beginning your diving trip or looking to explore new underwater adventures. All you need to do is suit up, dive down, and take in the view with your simple to comprehend critical dive data readily available at a look on the large, incredibly bright backlit LCD. Full decompression capabilities, five dive modes (Air, Nitrox, Gauge, Free, and Off), and a simple menu-based Suunto user interface are all features of this easy-to-use dive computer.
- Shearwater Peregrine
A straightforward and simple-to-use full-color, multi-gas dive computer is the Peregrine. The 5.59cm LCD screen on the Peregrine boasts a full color display with vibrant, increased color range, and saturation. With full decompression support, it features modes for simplified recreational diving. Important diving information is easily customizable and navigable for the diver on the home screen. This has 4 diving modes: Air, Nitrox, 3 Gas Nitrox, and Gauge, and its battery life per charge is up to 30h on medium brightness mode.
Other Top-Quality Scuba Diving Accessories
As mentioned above, scuba divers collect many more diving accessories apart from basic items. Here are some of the best diving accessories that you can find on the market if you are deeply passionate about diving.
- SUPE R75 Dive Light
The RD75E features a 1200 lumen white light output. It provides a brilliant beam that will surely meet all your diving requirements. The SUPE RD75 has a battery life of 2 to 6 hours and has been tested to a depth of 100 meters. One charge equals one dive day. This dive light is travel and eco-friendly and it can be charged by a C-type cable and micro USB plugged straight into the battery.
- Bonito Sports Aluminium Pointer
Dive pointers give you the chance to point out sea creatures and other important things to your fellow divers. Bonito Sports Aluminium Pointer which is made of aluminum, comes in a variety of colors to complement your Scuba gear! To prevent losing it underwater, it comes with a lanyard that you may fasten around your wrist. Additionally, the pointer’s tip has markings for measuring the length and size of corals or other creatures.
- Cressi Kai Knife
Cressi Kai dive knife is a professional, multipurpose knife made in Italy with a blade and handle made of martensitic stainless steel with a hardness rating of Hrc 55/56 and an extremely sharp and honed edge. In marine environments, the Idroglider Gold Black Surface Treatment increases corrosion resistance. It comes with a saw, a line cutter, a bottle opener, a flat screwdriver, and a loop for the leash in addition to having a V-shaped cross section blade. Both the 23 cm and the 11 cm compact versions are offered with a 1000 D ballistic nylon sheath.
4. Scubapro 3.5ft Surface Marker Buoy
When you’re diving, you can easily stow this small SMB (surface marker buoy), and it deploys rapidly when you surface. The bottom is sealed, the construction is tough 210D nylon with HF welded seams, and a metal inflator and 42mm exhaust valve are provided. On the lower end, there is a steel D-ring and bungee loop, while the top has a plastic D-ring for a flashlight.
5. Scubapro D-Flex 2mm Gloves
For diving in tropical waters, the D-Flex 2mm glove provides the right blend of warmth and protection. The flexible design of this incredibly soft glove allows for maximum finger dexterity, and its contoured form ensures a secure fit. You can retain a firm hold thanks to the non-slip material of the palm.
Where to Get the Best Diving Equipment in Singapore?
Are you excited to buy the best scuba diving equipment ? Visit Waikiki Dive Centre in Singapore to choose from a wide range of diving equipment to make your long-awaited dive safer and more comfortable than ever!